MovieChat Forums > The Robe (1953) Discussion > 'From this moment, I have no son'.

'From this moment, I have no son'.

posted 19 years ago by chcruz-1
7 replies | jump to latest

Although it should be fairly obvious, but why does Senator Gallio disown Marcellus? He clearly hated Caligula. Is it because Marcellus changed from Roman paganism to Christianity? Is it because he put the Gallio household in jeopardy by hiding out?

[–] fierywafarer 19 years ago

I think it is because he changed from Roman paganism to Christianity.

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[–] krp-7 18 years ago

I think it was more just to save his own skin.

[–] Clara19987 18 years ago

The book explains Senator Gallio's position a lot better than the movie does. In the book, the senator actually doesn't even say goodbye to his son. He leaves him some money in his pack as if to say his son is on his own now. But there are several reasons why Gallio "disowns" Marcellus. First of all, although he is a just and honorable man, he is not religious and believes Marcellus' conversion to be the product of superstition and guilt, because after all, Marcellus did crucify Jesus. His father never does convert although he loves his son. Also, he is fiercely worried about his son and his family. In the book, the Emperor Tiberias is decrepitly old, senile, and insane. He leaves the empire to Caligula who is even worse. Gallio knows this and is afraid that his son will be killed and his family ruined. This is understandable for any father, I believe.

[–] gaelicguy 18 years ago

This is understandable for any father, I believe.

I'm glad I'm not your son. My goodness.

Unfortunately, I haven't read the novel, but the Senator tells his son, when Marcellus tries to broach the subject, that he has chosen to make himself an enemy of the state and therefore he disowns him. Yet, he is at his son's trial and I have always thought that, even as Marcellus is about to die, his father has never been prouder of him. For his courage, his tenacity before Caligula and for coming into his own, as it were.

Remember, as he and Diana are being led away, Marcellus stops and his father acknowledges him, almost gives his blessing, I have always thought. Though I do maintain that I don't (nor ever have) approached The Robe with any particular religious agenda, I believe this was intended, perhaps, as a sign of God's grace -- that this wastrel son and this demanding father reconciled, at the last.

Part of what makes this film remain with me for days -- these very subtle, but very moving moments.

If you don't stand for something, you will fall for anything.

[–] 18 years ago

[deleted]

[–] gaelicguy 18 years ago

Remember, Bilwick, as Diana points out to Marcellus, his father was a very powerful man and Caligula could not put his son to death without a trial. If there was no proof of their being Christians, I don't think the Gallieo clan were in any danger. Caligula was gunning for Marcellus - by his own admission, he didn't care about the 'Greek' or the 'Jew fisherman.' Ultimately, of course, Caligula got his man.

However, you do raise an excellent point, so what you say is entirely possible.

If you don't stand for something, you will fall for anything.

[–] jeffn21 18 years ago

Another guy posted what the book said.

But, I took it more as his dad was a proud Roman. And at the beginning we see him speak to Marcellus about being a good roman. When he basically turned his back on Rome by going against Caesar his brought dishonor to his house.

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